I’ve done the same but with an M1 Pro 14 inch. Bought it off a guy for £400 and use it linked to a Thunderbolt monitor that also charges it that way. Only disadvantage is it’s like you’re using two screens all the time but not an issue for most tasks. Also the M1 series the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aerials are not linked to the screen so I took the smashed screen off and it is nice and tidy (think the 2019 MacBook is the same).
we're on the same boat and I bought it for 1100aud (~550gbp), a bit on the pricier side though. originally planned to buy it and repair it with a replacement screen, but looks like a2442 screen are pretty picky. I might turned out use it as a beefed up Mac mini. do you find it hard to remove the screen and is there any particular issue you're seeing?
@@theoscats no it’s quite easy to remove the screen. Apple now have right to repair in the U.K. so you can get one for £560 including the serial calibration needed but they are like £800 to get repaired otherwise so might be worth seeing if that scheme has launched in Australia. No real issues. Only two are after a big update sometimes you need to use CMD plus 1 key to swap to dual display. The only other issue is you are basically driving two displays at all times. This isn’t a major issue as using mirroring of the larger display but it can be an issue if you’re running really powerful graphics applications on a high resolution display. I looked at it like getting a Mac mini M2 Pro near enough for price of an M2 mini but with backlight keyboard, built in trackpad and amazing speakers with a built in battery. Displays/dock that also charge your MacBook via usb c are very useful as well. There is a guide on RU-vid on how to do a M1 Pro 14 and it’s very easy with the right tools. Mine is the base model so sounds like you still got a good deal and I understand Apple products cost more in Australia.
Thanks for the reply and that’s interesting. Judging from your intel, it looks like even when you have disconnected / removed the original LCD unit, the MacBook still identifies itself as a laptop with a screen? Does it mean under “Display”, you are still seeing two displays mirroring each other? Regarding the price, I can’t really tell if I have made a bargain, and weeks later the m3 pro got introduced :( @@richarddcrossley
Could you explain better the dual monitor issue thing? I just bought a broken 2021 14" and I was thinking about headless... Also, disconnecting the sleep sensor does no harm?
@@tommasopoggi7223 so basically there is a magnetic catch in the MacBook that tells the MacBook it’s in clamshell mode. If you remove the screen the MacBook will constantly think you are using the laptop open with an external secondary screen. In Mac OS you can use CMD+1 until you get it to show as duplicate screens. Then just change it in the display settings once logged in for the main screen (the missing one) to be a duplicate of your external display. As the M1 Pro can drive two external displays it’s not really an issue. The issue more comes if you’re doing something very graphically intensive because it’s like you are doing it on 2 4K screens at the same time in my case. Some people have used a magnet to trick the catch if only using an external keyboard and mouse but I use the unit solo sometimes and that also looks ugly.
For those how want to access recovery mode of M1/2/3/4... you hold the power button starting computer until the screen light, you move mouse to see the big mouse cursor, never click your mouse, press right arrow button twice then enter, wait until mouse cursor become normal size, unplug HDMI and re-plug, then you will see the recovery menu on the top of screen, but you still need to drag the window in from the "original display", because what you're watching is the "extenal display". If you are lucky, you will drag the user-login window in, then you can access all recovery function, to drag the window in, you need a strok of patients and luck.
Whoa i just realized the name "Techno Eclipse" is back. Was confused when i saw it appear in my youtube suggestions. At first thought it was an old video. then i saw the time..... 1hour ago lol. Never seen a headless macbook, but it seems like a really cool idea for a media pc to hook up to my TV to have access to a proper web browser.
5:20 I don't use a headless mac.. but a cheap logitech m535 bluetooth mouse gets much better range than mice with usb dongles and controls the NUC I use to watch TV. Works on couch/chair arms and my pant leg. Just have to set display scaling to large so my blind self can see icons and text from across the room. Also, Luke Miani did a headless mac video a few months before yours and used the black plastic sheath thing that housed the antenna, the oem hinges/screws and some electrical tape to make a pretty decent looking housing to keep the wifi antenna in. I'm contemplating doing this to a free a1707 that has the flexgate issue. Works up to about 30 degrees open lol
I did this with a 2019 MBP 13in that I got for $150. I used it in a photo studio. The equivalent of a mac mini for me same specks would have been around $300. Totally worth it. Best part it saves space on my desk, not needing an external mouse and Keyboard....
OMG - get a roll of kapton tape and tape that wifi antenna strip to the top of the case above the keyboard instead of having it flopping around like that!
That other laptop screen with the broken display would give me an eyesore if I used that.😞 I don't need the best display in the world, but it must be functional. 🤗☺️
